Australia Day 2019: NSW Police push safety message

The temperature is forecast to stay above 40 degrees Celsius across the long weekend.

Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said anyone cooling off near a pool or river needed to be cautious.

“We’ve seen a number of drownings this year, right across NSW, some real tragedies, and we don’t want those events occurring in regional NSW at any time, but [this weekend] we need to ask people if they’ve been consuming alcohol to please make sure they’re safe around our waterways,” he said.

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The Assistant Commissioner has also asked people to check on their neighbours, especially during the hot weather. He said police have had to force themselves into premises recently to make sure people are okay only to find someone deceased.

“We need people to be looking out for their neighbours, make that phone call, drop in and check on people to make sure they’re okay. It’s been a long, hot summer and it’s not over yet,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

 Australia Day in Dubbo is forecast to hit 42 degrees. In Nyngan it will be even hotter at 44 degrees, while in Narromine will reach a top of 43 degrees.

“The other significant message that we always put out is about behaviour. If you’re out there celebrating, have a good time, have fun with your families, but please be conscience of others, behave yourself and just generally be careful in what you’re doing and make sure that you’re still in one piece at the end of the day.”

Operation Safe Return started on Friday and runs until midnight on Monday. Double demerits will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

“We keep seeing events, sadly people losing their lives and they’re not wearing a seatbelt. Or they’ve been drinking at a local hotel and they make their way on a back road and collide with a tree and roll," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said. 

“We see it all the time It’s very basic stuff and we keep repeating those messages but sadly a lot of people are still losing their lives.”